CHAPTER 20: DIAGON ALLEY - THE BEGINNING


A brief discussion with Madame Pomfrey had opened up an interesting avenue for Sparhawk. Apparently, wizards had magic healers who could possibly cure his bad eyesight. The news cheered Sparhawk infinitely and he resolved to look into it as soon as possible.

So it was that Sparhawk was looking rather chipper, being about to be discharged and whatnot when a goth-looking fellow turned up and introduced himself to be Professor Snape. He was tall with a rather pale complexion, hair that was just a bit on the far side of oily, and a countenance that dimmed the sun by a couple of degrees. Without much preamble, and completely ignoring Adelaide's attempts at conversation, he escorted them to a huge hall with a ceiling painted like a morning sky.

There, waiting for them, was Professor Dumbledore. He was once again dressed in robes of colours that seemed entirely unhealthy to the senses and he was giving them a beatific smile.

"Hello, Ha..."

"It's Sparhawk."

"Sparhawk. Good morning, Adelaide. How are you feeling, young man?"

"Well enough." Adelaide smartly rapped him on the head.

"I'm feeling fine, sir. Thank you." he corrected blithely.

Dumbledore beamed even more. "That's wonderful Sparhawk. Because, as you have no doubt forgotten, the school term starts on the first of September and your supplies seem to have been misplaced, We'll have to get you new ones at Diagon Alley."

That would be the local wizarding marketplace, he assumed.

"I also need to get my eyes looked at, sir. Madame Pomfrey mentioned a fine establishment called ..."

"Why whatever is the problem with your eyes, my boy?"

"I can't see very well without glasses."

"Well, I suppose we could go, if only for a quick consultation. But I overstep my boundaries. These decisions should be rightfully made by Mrs Baker" and he smiled a rather bright smile at her.

Adelaide frowned. "Riiight. Let's get you looked at, Sparhawk. if they can do something for your eyes, all the merrier. But..." and here a look of worry crossed her features, "Are they going to cost much? These supplies and these healers? Because I only managed to grab a bit of cash when we went back and ..." she trailed off, looking at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore waved her concerns away. "It's quite all right, Mrs Baker. Harry's, or should I say Sparhawk's, parents left him a sizeable inheritance with something of an allowance. That should be more than enough to cover our needs."

Adelaide looked both relieved and troubled. "A sizeable inheritance, you say...Well, when we get back, there's something we need to talk about."

Dumbledore turned an apologetic smile on Adelaide. "Oh, I'm sorry, Adelaide, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to accompany us. I mean no disrespect, but the fewer people that know about the relationship to you and the former Harry here, the better."

Adelaide opened her mouth to protest, but Sparhawk beat her to it.

"Why?"

Dumbledore gave him an indulgent smile. "As I've said before Sparhawk, the Death Eaters really have a, what should I say, an axe to grind with you, my boy. And they'll stoop to any means necessary. I know that it won't be possible to keep Adelaide away from their radar forever, but the later the better."

"Don't they already know about her? We were, after all, attacked at her house."

Dumbledore seemed to falter a bit at that. "Not necessarily, my boy. The remaining death eaters are few and far between, and these two were acting independently, seeking glory by bringing low their master's vanquisher. My colleague and I have made sure they won't be spreading their secrets."

Adelaide blanched. "You killed them?!"

"Oh no, madam, most assuredly not. We just muddled their memories a bit..."

Sparhawk blanched. "You left them alive?!" A good friend of his had once advised Sparhawk to not leave live enemies behind him and it had turned out to be solid advice so far.

"Rest assured, Sparhawk," Dumbledore said, patting his shoulder rather familiarly, "I've taken care of it."

Sparhawk gaped at the man, too astonished to say anything more.

Dumbledore continued blithely, "As I was saying, it's better to leave Adelaide here and..."

"Hold on." interrupted Adelaide, "I'm coming."

"But madam, I just pointed out..."

"Nothing doing. If somebody had already figured out about Sparhawk and me, then other people can do it too. And I'm not ready to send him anywhere alone with strangers just yet, no offense, Mr Dumbledore. I'm coming with the boy."

Dumbledore looked like he would disagree, but the pugnacious set of Adelaide's jaw convinced him otherwise and he sighed, relenting. "Very well, then. Let's find you some robes, Mrs Baker. And then to Diagon Alley we go."


Dumbledore must have been out of his mind, getting him to come with on this little shopping trip, or so Snape thought, the dour potions master brushing ashes off his robes. Turning, he watched the fireplace of Tom's bar light up with vindictive expectation. It was going to be fun, seeing the Potter-spawn come tumbling out of the fireplace and land in an undignified heap and he would take life's little joys. Alas, that was not to be, as said Potter-spawn stepped out of the Floo looking none the worse for wear.

Oh, well, the muggle then.

A couple of seconds passed before the fireplace lit up again. And this time around too, Snape was disappointed, as Adelaide Baker stepped through with nary a misstep.

What was the world coming to if people didn't get intimate with the floor on their first time through the floo?

Finally, Dumbledore came through, looking for all the world like a grandfather without a care in the world. But Snape had been with the old man too long to miss the way he held his hand, hanging just so, setting up for a fast draw. The Headmaster's eyes swept the room once and his hand subtly fell.

Adelaide was looking at the environs with some disapproval. "I don't think this is any place for a boy his age to be," she said, glaring at Snape.

Now that was unfair. What did he have to do with this?

"Oh, not to worry Adelaide" Dumbledore twinkled, his voice dripping with senility, "we won't be here long. This is just a gateway of sorts."

"A gateway?"

"Oh yes. This is the only entrance to Diagon Alley."

Adelaide's eyes grew wide with disbelief.

"The only entrance?" she asked, an edge to her voice.

Dumbledore nodded sagely.

"And everyone, adults, and children, have to come through the pub if they need to shop. For anything."

The Headmaster smiled.

Adelaide shook her head. "How you people haven't devolved into a society of drunkards is beyond me."

Thinking about it, it did make sense.

"Well, enough dallying. I believe Diagon Alley awaits." declared Dumbledore and made for the back, the three of them following.

Soon enough, the voices around the pub grew silent, fingers were pointed and people started to converge. All of which was serving to make Snape very nervous. He might not like the Potter Spawn much, but the Lily Spawn he was very much vested in keeping alive and there were far too many people for his liking. Better they'd gone for owl order or the like.

The woman was keeping very close to the Potter brat, eyes darting this way and that and it seemed his feelings were shared. Just as it seemed they were about to get to the entrance without much incident, a figure in maroon robes burst out of the crowd. Adelaide moved with a speed belying her age to push Sparhawk behind her and Snape was halfway to breaking out something rather nasty before the unwelcome voice of Alluvius Bootlicker allayed his wand hand.

"Oh, Harry Potter" he gushed, holding out his hand "what an honour!"

Before the boy could give his ever-present rebuttal of "It's Sparhawk", Dumbledore stepped in and used the power of his towering celebrity to overwhelm the poor man and sidetrack him. Sparhawk, Snape noticed with some interest, had his hand in his shirt, gripping something. As he watched, the boy relaxed and seemed to do a little examination of his surroundings, eyes meeting Snape for a split second before turning away.

While Dumbledore held the adoring fans at bay, Snape, with his customary sneer had taken the lead and tapped out the pattern on the bricks opening the pathway to Diagon Alley.

Behind him, he could hear Adelaide's sharp intake of breath as the heart of wizarding Britain unfolded before their eyes. The sights, sounds, and smells assaulted the senses, threatening to overwhelm newcomers and returnees alike. Stretching before them were rows of shops selling cauldrons, pets, magical ingredients, self-cleaning toilets, you name it. It almost brought a patter to Snape's shrivelled heart. Sparhawk, predictably, did not react.

Damn him.


Aye, this is the obligatory Diagon Alley shopping trip. You can look forward to getting Sparhawk getting his wand, and some other accouterments soon. I can hardly wait. As always, read and review